The Spanish midfielder has spoken with manager Arsene Wenger and is eager to remain at the club, who he joined from Everton in 2011.

"I can't stop the rumours, but what I am certain is that I'm really happy here, I feel valued, I have been given a lot of responsibility and I like it," he is quoted as saying by Sky Sports.

"Until they think something different about me, I'm happy. I had a conversation with the manager. He knows my opinion and we're fine."

Arteta is also delighted by the arrival of Sanchez from Barcelona and is tipping the Chile international to make a significant impression in his debut season with Arsenal.

"He's the type of player we were looking for," Arteta added. "At some stage [last season] we didn't have that pace up front with the injuries we had, but this year we will. We will be a threat in behind teams and he'll give us another option.

"He's a character, too. He's a fighter and very ambitious. I think he's the type of player that the Arsenal fans will really like.

"It is a very good statement to show where we are going. I think we are going in the right direction, the club is ambitious, the directors are ambitious and we are going to fight for big aims."